Newbie Keto / Low Carb

Humblepie11

Hi all pleased to meet you and join in the discussions. I am just starting out and looking for ideas for lunch particularly and evening meal. Going to start very basic until I get the hang of it. Is milk allowed in coffee and is alcohol banned completely. Trying to stick to 1200 calories also. Have around 20lbs to lose .

verybusybee

I don't believe regular milk is allowed. I think better almond or coconut or even half and half but this is what I have read. I haven't yet started myself but plan to next month. I am interested as well in meal ideas. I have done okay the last few days trying to keep my carbs lower than anything else (not yet full keto) but I can't continue to eat out and have a lot of sodium. I do agree with you @Humblepie11 I plan to start simple not use a lot of the almond flours etc until I get the hang of it. Not cooking a whole lot of new recipes. I have looked quite a bit on pintrest for recipes though.

Vladaar

Some use cream of some type, or butter in coffees, I drink mine black. Google bullet proof coffee if your interested in trying that out. I am also doing a intermittent fasting 16 hours I don't eat and 8 hours I do. I achieve that by only drinking black coffee for breakfast, and drink water till lunch time. Then I make sure I'm done with my dinner by 7pm. Alcohol I would consider to be a cheat item, nothing wrong with planning a cheat day but doing so regularly can throw off your results.

You can check out some of the odd ball stuff I eat as I have an open diary, if that gives you some ideas great.

Xerogs

I think most people substitute milk with half and half, heavy cream,unsweetened almond, coconut, or cashew milk. I really like coconut and cashew milk myself but you will need to find which one suits your taste with coffee. I think a lot of people go for heavy cream. I really limit my alcohol intake but when I do have a drink it's usually a vodka in club soda with lime. There is tons of info on low carb options on the internet in regards to alcohol but most people don't over do it since it may stall weight loss. Personally I would rather have 1200 calories of great food rather than drink (shot of vodka is around 90 calories or so I think).

As for meal ideas I eat a lot of different types of salad for lunch and stir fry as well. I used to shy away from Genghis Grill because of the starch add-on but they recently added cabbage as an add-on so I am enjoying it again. You just have to be careful of the sauces because they can be carb bombs. There are tons of ideas in the forum for lunch and dinner.

nvmomketo

Welcome to the group.

Feel free to use milk in coffee if your macros allow it. There are carbs in milk (lactose) so if you are eating ketogenic, you may want to cut back. If you are eating upwards of 100-150g of carbs, you may have room for milk in your diet.

Alcohol is fine, just be aware of calories and carbs. Drinks like beer or a highball with a regulaer soda will have a lot of carbs. A glass of whiskey with ice won't. I don't drink often so I have no idea what the calories are in drinks. I'm not a big help.

The easiest lunch for me is leftovers. I just make a bit extra and I'm all set. If I am in a hurry I'll often have canned fish. Today fpr luch I had a an of mussels. LOL Tomorrow will be leftovers (pork and eggs). I also like pepperoni and cheese, or a bowl of nuts.

I think the easiest thing to do is eat what you did in the past but deconstructed. If you liked sandwiches, bring all the fillings, just more of it. If you like noodles with meat sauce, just eat the meat sauce or put it of zoodles or spaghetti squash. Chicken breast and a salad with no bun. Don't make it too hard to follow.

Good luck.

Humblepie11

Thanks everyone for your replies - I am going to use mfp and enter what I think to begin and amend if I am overdoing the carbs - originally I did not think you could eat veg but that is a bonus - I am starting properly on 1 november as I am away Sunday to Tuesday and will try to be good. Good luck everyone on your journey and will post again soon xx

verybusybee

I agree the advice is great. I am starting on that day as well although I have been watching my carbs this week. I have dinners planned and will do left overs but will need to find some additional recipes for breakfasts on the go.